Lessons Learnt in Implementation of Overseas Voting and Nursing Home Voting Procedures in 2023 Presidential Election

3 Ms Hazel Poa asked the Prime Minister (a) what are the lessons learnt in the implementation of overseas voting and nursing home voting procedures in the 2023 Presidential Election; and (b) whether any changes will be made.

Mr Chan Chun Sing (for the Prime Minister): The Elections Department (ELD) is currently reviewing the two new initiatives, namely, overseas postal voting and special voting arrangements for nursing homes, introduced at Presidential Election 2023.

For postal voting, the initial findings are similar to what ELD had observed in its trial before the election, which are that postal services in some countries may not postmark the business reply return envelopes and that the return envelopes should be mailed early. ELD had thus earlier emailed registered postal voters to advise them to affix postage stamps on their return envelopes, especially if they reside in certain regions/countries, and to mail their return envelopes early to ensure that they reach the Returning Officer within 10 days after Polling Day.

On the pilot special voting arrangements at nursing homes, the initiative has enabled voters with mobility challenges to cast their votes without leaving the nursing home and, when necessary, to vote from their beds. However, election officials did face challenges, including managing voters who may lack the mental capacity to vote.

ELD will consider the various findings and feedback and announce the next steps ahead of the next election.